Greenwich best bets: What to do around Greenwich this weekend

Updated 10:19 pm, Thursday, July 18, 2013

Dane Uzar of Greenwich creates a sand sculpture which he called "The Town," during the annual Sand Blast! sand sculpture festival at Greenwich Point, Saturday, July 14, 2012. Sand Blast! returns Saturday, July 20, 2013, at 1 p.m. at Greenwich Point. Expect contestants of all ages and sculptures of all shapes and sizes.

GREENWICH -- Entertainment and adventures await. Here are some of the best bets for the weekend and week ahead.

Brushes and buckets welcome:

All manner of objects and creatures are likely to be found on the Greenwich Point beach on Saturday. But don't worry. It's not so much that they will have washed up on the beach, as that they will have risen from the sand. The Greenwich Arts Council, Greenwich Parks and Recreation and First County Bank will host Sand Blast, the perennial sand sculpture competition that brings hundreds of people to the shorefront. In past years, competitors have formed sea monsters, a motor boat, an iPad and flip-flops, just to name a few of the creations. Given there is no specific theme, contestants are encouraged to think big. The event kicks off at 1 p.m., with a rain date of Sunday at 2 p.m. (Rain date hot line: 203-618-7650). For more information, visit http://www.greenwichartscouncil.org. A park pass is required, and parking fees may apply. Make sure to check out the details at http://www.greenwichct.org before heading out to Greenwich Point.

Movie magic:

The Perrot Memorial Library's seventh annual Movies in the Park will get underway on Saturday at 8:30 p.m., with a screening of the 2009 Disney-Pixar movie "Up" at Binney Park. The PG-rated film earned two Academy Awards and was nominated for best picture. Admission is free, and guests are welcome to bring a picnic, chairs and relax. (Rain date is July 21.) For more information, call 203-637-3870.

The Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center will host its own family movie and picnic night on Monday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The 2006 movie "The Wild," will be featured. It will roll at 8 p.m. Rain date is Tuesday.

200 candles:

The Caramoor Summer Music Festival will mark opera composer Giuseppe Verdi's bicentennial celebration year with a presentation on Saturday of "Don Carlos" in French. The performance is part of the "Verdi in Paris," program that will highlight the works this Italian-born composer created while in Paris. The evening will feature the Orchestra of St. Luke's, as led by Will Crutchfield; mezzo-soprano Jennifer Larmore; soprano Jennifer Check; tenor Arnold Rutkowski; baritone Stephen Powell; and bass Christophoros Stamboglis. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Venetian Theater, located on Caramoor grounds in Katonah, N.Y. For ticket information and directions, call 914-232-1252 or visit http://www.caramoor.org.

On display:

The Art Society of Old Greenwich will present its members' only juried show beginning Saturday at the Flinn Gallery at the Greenwich Library. Come see the art on opening weekend and come back Thursday to enjoy the opening reception, from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.sidewalkartshow.com. This also is the first weekend of "Greenwich: The Perspective of Time at Historical Society" exhibition at the Greenwich Historical Society. A collaboration between the society and the Stamford Photography Club, the show features images of Greenwich history as interpreted through the photographers' lenses. The show will run through Sept. 1.

All it's cracked up to be:

The Bruce Museum will host a Family Day on Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m., which will highlight the current exhibition on display "Eggs-hibition: Unscrambling Their History." Get ready to pet some poultry, ride a pony or two, make some egg-inspired crafts and participate in an egg hunt. Egg Fair Day activities are free with museum admission. For more information, visit http://brucemuseum.org or call 203-869-0376.